Now, judge appointments and transfers by Supreme Court will be made open to public

The Supreme Court of India on Friday announced that for the sake of transparency, judges the process of appointing or transferring judges will now be open to public.

Last week, a Collegium headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra reported resolved to frame norms for appointment and transfer of judges.

The earlier collegium system of judges appointing judges was strongly criticised by the government, which has often called for transparency and accountability in judicial transfers and appointments.

A new tab on the Supreme Court website links to ‘Collegium Resolutions’.

A resolution passed by the five senior most judges of the Court states: “THAT the decisions henceforth taken by the Collegium indicating the reasons shall be put on the website of the Supreme Court, when the recommendation(s) is/are sent to the Government of India, with regard to the cases relating to initial elevation to the High Court Bench, confirmation as permanent Judge(s) of the High Court, elevation to the post of Chief Justice of High Court, transfer of High Court Chief Justices / Judges and elevation to the Supreme Court, because on each occasion the material which is considered by the Collegium is different.

The Resolution is passed to ensure transparency and yet maintain confidentiality in the Collegium system.”